Garden Grill???

[Joanna & Hunters Mom]

I would like to know if any of you have eaten at the Garden Grill in Epcot. We will be at WDW for DS2's 3rd Birthday in September, and I thought it would be a nice character meal for his special day.

Or- Do you guys have any other suggestions? Keep in mind that the day we are looking at is our arrival day and we can't make a ressie until at least 7pm and MK closes at 6 that night

 

[shocker]

I think it's a very nice choice and with all of the "ethnic" choices Epcot has to offer we still have a hard time passing up Garden Grill. It's so quiet and relaxing (more than most character venues) and although AYCE, the food is brought to you so you can really "rest" while eating instead of back and forth to a buffet. It's a great time. Enjoy!

 

[wolf29]

We love the Garden Grill, and make a point of getting there every trip. Might also think about CP or Hollywood & Vine, only for character choices that might be more attractive to a 3 year old. Whatever you choose, I'm sure it will be great.

 

[Missytara]

One of the guys I work with took his newly adopted 4 year old and five year old granddaughters to the world for the first time.

Their favorite meal all week was at the Garden Grill; they commented it was the best time they had all week - he said they still talked about it when they got home....

 

[Kaleigh]

I would suggest asking to sit on the lower level if you do decide to go to the Garden Grill. The experience is way more interesting because you can see the ride as you spin so much better. We got stuck on the upper level last time and it really took away from the enjoyment for us.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

One of the worst dining experiences I ever had at Walt Disney World was at the Garden Grill.

There was a group of 11 of us. We were all able to be seated together, which was nice. We were seated on the "upper level", which we found to be very constricting. Now granted, there were so many of us, but I'm not sure that mattered that much since not only did if feel like there wasn't much room on either side, but also that there wasn't much room between my table and the inner wall.

Being on the upper level, we got a close up look at all of the little "nooks" that existing in the center wall of the circle. We saw fire extinguishers, high chairs, and various other things. It was rather messy.

The characters were warm and interactive, but moved very quickly, and came to our table multiple times. It was hard to enjoy our found because of multiple interruptions by the characters, some of whom saw us three times. I'm used to character meals, but this just seemed disorganized.

The soundtrack for the Living With the Land pavilion was very loud and obnoxious, especially the crickets. The constant rotating, while slow, was also quite annoying.

My DW did not like the food. I actually did like the food, especially the mahi mahi and the vegetables.

All in all, however, it was not enjoyable, and I have no intention of going back.

 

[HunnyJar]

We went to the Garden Grill for our daughter's 1st birthday in Feb. and had such a great time! This was THE best character interaction we had for the 10 days we were at the World. We really enjoyed the food as well. My husband and I agreed that we would be doing this again next year.

 

[disneymeces]

we've had 2 dd's enjoy their birthday there 6 yrs apart. Our children love it there. We have never had a bad experience, and the food has always been great! Our children require that we eat there everytime we go!

 

[latexscooter]

We recently added Garden Grill to our list of restaurants after reading a review on the Disney Food Blog. You might want to take a look at that reveiw too. http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/02/23/guest-review-garden-grill-restaurant/

 

[cjlvsccm]

We have been twice and enjoyed it very much, for the food and the character interaction!! Even my DDad83 got a kick out of meeting Mickey there. I think a 3yo would like Chip & Dale's antics, Mickey is cute in his farmer overalls, and Pluto is good ol' Pluto.

And it can be a relaxing dinner on either level, but especially the lower level... the semi-circular booths shield you from other diners and when the characters are there they are focused on YOU.

But if you don't want to use a park ticket for the evening, have you checked on dinner at Chef Mickey's at the CR? CM may not be as relaxing, though!!

 

[darthtatty]

We recently added Garden Grill to our list of restaurants after reading a review on the Disney Food Blog. You might want to take a look at that reveiw too. http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/02/23/guest-review-garden-grill-restaurant/

Thanks for that
Id never really heard much about it until recently, still wasnt sure what types of meal there. Now ive got a great idea of what its like.

 

[mickeystoontown]

We've eaten at the Garden Grill numerous times with the most recent being in August, 2009. The food itself wasn't spectacular but was good. The character interacton was fabulous. I have pictures of the food and the characters in my "Stop Making Me Laugh..." trip report. If you want to take a look, the pictures are somewhere towards the end. Or, if you'd like, I can try and find the pictures and post them here. Just let me know.

 

[whatsup]

We ate there back in January and had a wonderful experience. We enjoyed the food, especially the salad dressing. If you can get that recipe please post it here for all to enjoy. Takes about one hour for a full rotate of the dining area. Great food! You will not be disappointed and the kids will love the attention of the characters plenty of time for pictures etc..

 

[bradyloganmom]

We eat there every trip and plan on eating there again in October!!

 

[momto2inKC]

We've ate at Garden Grill several times and have had a great experience and good food everytime! I agree with the others, lower level seating, if you can get it, is the way to go! It almost feels like you've got the place to yourself the way the lower booths are set up.

 

[roadtrippin2wdw]

Another vote for yay! The food wasn't my all time favorite, it was decent and the kids really enjoyed it (food & characters).

 

[DoodlesBow]

The food was NASTY the last time we went. This was a must for us the last 4 years in a row. Sad to say it is OFF our list and never to be revisited again. I even spoke to the manager who said the food had changed and some loved it while others hated it. I vote for HATED it. We did not eat and left without paying a dime.

 

[IloveWINNIEthePOOH]

Our family of 6 (ages ranging from 86-13) all LOVED it!!!

We thought the food was spectacular, tasted fresh, great flavor...just awesome!

Characters were fun & goofy with us.

We hope to return again soon!!

 

[MerryFlora]

I think we will try this on our next trip. We got to do the LTT character dinner during the CP closure. It really sold me on the AYCE family platter style dining. SO much more relaxing than a buffet where you feel like you are going to miss something while getting your food. Also knowing that no one else has pawed thru or sneezed on the food you are about to eat is nice

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

my 2.5 and 4 year old loved it last trip! heck i even loved all the food and im verrrrrry fussy. he enjoyed the characters very much. were going back this trip, but for his third bday next month he asked for chef mickeys. we enjoyed that last time too, altho many on here say its bad.